Need help finding a suitable router

79wjd · June 25, 2015

I currently a D-Link 868L with Optimum GUI, and I probably can flash DD-WRT or even the default firmware on it to gain the functionality that I need/want, but I'm not sure if I can, if I'd have to pay optimum for the router if I brick it, or if it would be able to do what I want from it.

So right now the router is located basically in the corner of my house on the top floor and is unable to reach the basement. Now I know the positioning of the router is far from ideal, but moving it isn't practical for a multitude of reasons that don't matter -- so assumed the router is staying where it is.

As for a budget, I don't really have one -- but I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible.

What I need from a new router:

I'll be streaming locally (and hopefully remotely) from the FreeNAS server
Ideally I'd like to set up a VPN to access my FreeNAS server, and supposedly it's much easier to setup/manage on the router than it is on the FreeNAS server itself.
Ideally a DDNS client, for the same reason as above.
Wireless AC with a range/signal strong enough to cover my house+backyard -- let's say the longest distance will be 300 feet through several walls including sound proofing, flooring, and brick/stone.
A firewall of some sort (if it doesn't add too much to the cost -- although this is by no means a priority)

The devices on the network will be:

FreeNAS server (connected via Ethernet)
Two desktops (connected via Ethernet/wireless card -- one of which will be for gaming)
three tablets, two apple tvs, three phones, four laptops, one wireless printer

Hexorian. · June 25, 2015

Im not sure that you will be able to get a router that covers your whole house and backyard so you would need to buy an amplifier/range extender.

ZetZet · June 25, 2015

Range difference between top-end routers is so small, I don't think you will notice any improvement over your current one.

Photogenic · June 25, 2015

Here! Try that router a review said that the range can cover a 4200 sq feet house and 50 extra feet.

79wjd · June 25, 2015

Im not sure that you will be able to get a router that covers your whole house and backyard so you would need to buy an amplifier/range extender.

I've had nothing but trouble with range extenders/amplifiers, so I'd really rather avoid that route.

Range difference between top-end routers is so small, I don't think you will notice any improvement over your current one.

Well, in addition to range i'd also like to get some of those other features -- although the 868L might support them if I were to flash the firmware on the router.

79wjd · June 25, 2015

I've been looking into and talking to Netgear about the R7000 and it setting up a VPN & DDNS client to remotely access and stream from my FreeNAS server seems to be pretty straightforward. So that may be my best option -- even if it doesn't satisfy anything else.

79wjd · June 29, 2015

What would be better?

A Netgear Nighthawk R7000 or an Asus RT-AC66U?

(I had spoken with Netgear support -- Asus support is being much more difficult -- and based on the chat I had with them I don't really like the way the VPN service runs -- only 4 clients, and the only way to manage them would be to change the one/only login credentials -- which doesn't quite sound right to me...).

High penetration power (there's one part of my basement which direly needs wifi but no matter what I've done I just can't manage to get a signal there, and I'd rather not use extenders/APs)
good VPN support/control (The ability to easily setup and manage a VPN and who currently can use it -- i.e. activated/deactivating login credentials)
A built in DDNS client (for the aforementioned VPN service)
And ideally remote management (so I can easily control VPN access remotely)